Even though people in Arizona are eating better and working out more, they still need to think about how to take care of themselves when they are older. Most people don't even think about long-term medical care until they need it right away. At that point, it's harder to make decisions because time is running out and emotions may get in the way of a business decision.
Like making a will, it's better to have long-term care and not need it than to need it and not be ready. Let's face it: everyone could need long-term care if something unexpected happens.
Long-term care can last anywhere from a few months to several years. Most of the time, the costs of care are more than what the average person in Arizona can pay out of pocket. So, it's important to look for other options.
If you have a lot of money, it makes sense to make sure it doesn't all go toward paying for long-term care. If you don't have a lot of money, you probably won't be able to pay out of pocket for this kind of care, so you'll need to buy insurance.
If you know about money-saving groups, you can look for long-term care that doesn't cost a lot. Here are a few groups that Arizonans can join that may make it easier and cheaper for them to find long-term care:
- The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is the state's version of Medicaid.
- Association for Health Care in Arizona (AHCA). They give information about nursing homes and places that help older people live on their own. They are said to be the state's largest professional group and advocacy group for long-term care.
- AARP provides information on discounts for people over 50.
These are just some of the many programmes that Arizona has to offer. Contact the Arizona Department of Insurance to find out more. When looking for long-term care, the best way to get the best rate and discounts is to know what you're doing.
